Troops dislodged bandits camp as security forces rescue hostages in coordinated FCT operations
By: Zagazola Makama
A coordinated joint operation by the Nigerian Army, police and the Department of State Services (DSS) has led to the dislodgement of kidnappers’ camps and the rescue of multiple abducted victims across communities in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following a series of overnight attacks by armed criminals.
Zagazola Makama gathered that the operation, which unfolded between Dec. 5 and 6, was initiated after gunmen invaded Zone D community behind LEA Primary School, Ushafa, at about 11:30 p.m., abducting Mrs Patience Uzor, 49, and her 27-year-old son, Mr. Friend Obinna John.
In a swift response, a combined troops swiftly mobilised to the scene, rescuing Mrs Uzor as the kidnappers fled into the bush with Obinna.
But the gang continued its onslaught, storming a Fulani settlement owned by Mallam Jibrin Usman at the outskirts of Zuma I and Zuma II villages around 1:30 a.m., where they abducted four other residents identified as Abubakar Ibro Jibrin, Lukman Ali Jibrin, Ibrahim Jibrin Sale and Abdussalam Idris.
Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, directed the Commander of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to lead a joint operation comprising the Police and DSS to ensure the victims’ safe rescue.
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Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked the kidnappers to the Mpape Daji Forest via Kagarko LGA, bordering Bwari, where the criminals opened fire on the security team upon sighting them behind the Mpape hills.
During the gun duel, operatives successfully rescued Abubakar Jibrin.
The team immediately reinforced and sustained the pursuit, following the kidnappers’ trail through difficult terrain. Hours of coordinated pursuits led the operatives to Kweri Forest, where another fierce engagement ensued.
The encounter resulted in the rescue of the remaining three victims Lukman Jibrin, Ibrahim Jibrin and Abdussalam Idris while the kidnappers reportedly fled with suspected bullet wounds.
Security forces thereafter dislodged the criminals’ camp, recovering the area and preventing further regrouping of the bandits. No casualties were recorded among the security team throughout the engagements.
All rescued victims were evacuated to Bwari General Hospital for medical examination before being reunited with their families.
Sources said that police authorities have urged community members and other security stakeholders to report any person seen with suspected gunshot wounds to the nearest police formation, stressing the need for timely intelligence to aid the arrest of fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, the FCT Command has deployed strategic personnel along identified routes and vulnerable corridors to prevent further incursions by criminal elements into the territory.
The authorities assured residents of continued efforts to rescue the remaining abducted victim and to sustain offensive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks within the FCT and neighbouring states.